I don't want to step on any toes

So a very good friend of mine is getting married, and he told me he would appreciate it if I snaped a few, as he knows that I am into photography, and will be going to school with a photography focus.

I'm a little nervous about it because I don't want to step on the other photographers toes. So I am here to look for advise on how to NOT step on his toes.

I don't plan on wondering around, I plan on getting a decent seat during the ceremony and snapping a couple from there. Then a few after, not sure about the reception. I am not going to do the wedding party shoot that follows the ceremony, as I know that will be stepping on his toes.

Any advice on what NOT to do?

Thanks!

I'm interested in hearing people's responses to this too - one of my good friends is getting married next month and I'd love to snap some shots but don't want to infringe on the hired photographer

I just did this a month ago. I talked with the photographer about shooting the wedding beforehand. I asked her what she was going to be doing and where would be appropriate for me to shoot from.
After following her lead during the wedding, I shot from one side, she shot from the other... only stepped on her toes twice. Once literally.
I went from a friend of the bride and groom shooting a few pictures as a gift, to second shooter at the wedding.

Some things I learned NOT to do, don't get in the way when they are smooshing cake on each others face, and if they walk super fast back down the isle, i suggest staying far back. backpedaling with the bride running towards you can be a problem. Finally, try to stay out of the way of other photographers lens.

It's an interesting question... sorry your friend triangled you into this.

Questions I would as myself... what would you want someone to do if you were the hired photographer?

Why does your friend want you to take photographs if he has hired a capable photographer to document the wedding?

I second the suggestion to ask the hired photographer. They are the one with the contract.

Just my thoughts.

Eric

If you've been expressly asked by the B/G to do some shooting, then a little "Hi How Are Ya...Here's the deal..." with the contracted photographer should be in order and should suffice.

If you haven't been asked by the B/G to do some shooting, take a P&S, eat the free food, drink the free booze and have fun...

I am a little different, but, I want the bride and groom to get as many pics as possible. That being said, my worst pictures have been taken when there are people over my shoulder, they are chatting with the people I am shotting and making them look elsewhere. I have started putting people that are not in the pictures off to the side, it is hard to notice eyes at 30 feet, but if they turn their head, you notice.
Want to do the bride and groom a big favor, shoot everything the contracted photographer cannot.

Eric Redard wrote in post #5556524
Why does your friend want you to take photographs if he has hired a capable photographer to document the wedding?

Eric

Even if you have the absolute best photographer in the world, there will be shots that they just cannot get because they can only be in one place at one time. Even if they have a second shooter, I don't know of any bride that wouldn't appreciate a few extra shots from different perspectives.

I have done this once and it is definitely best to speak with the hired pro before hand. Also, expect and insist that you are a "second shooter" and that the posed subjects will be focused on the hired photog. Stay out of the way and blend in as much as possible so you don't take people's eyese of the main photog.

Also, don't let it get in the way of enjoying the wedding. You are a guest.

ogre1231 wrote in post #5556430
I just did this a month ago. I talked with the photographer about shooting the wedding beforehand. I asked her what she was going to be doing and where would be appropriate for me to shoot from.

Good advice.

Thanks guys! I will speak with the hired gun. I planned to anyhow as I'm looking to see if they would like a second shooter on a part time basis (free of charge) as I'd like to get my foot in the door.

hckyguy14 wrote in post #5556224
So a very good friend of mine is getting married, and he told me he would appreciate it if I snaped a few, as he knows that I am into photography, and will be going to school with a photography focus.

I'm a little nervous about it because I don't want to step on the other photographers toes. So I am here to look for advise on how to NOT step on his toes.

I don't plan on wondering around, I plan on getting a decent seat during the ceremony and snapping a couple from there. Then a few after, not sure about the reception. I am not going to do the wedding party shoot that follows the ceremony, as I know that will be stepping on his toes.

Any advice on what NOT to do?

Thanks!

Don't show up with 2 bodies and 6 lenses.

Don't stand behind the pro and shoot the formals

Don't wander the church

Do shoot candids at the wedding and the reception

Do remember to put the camera down and have fun

ogre1231 wrote in post #5556430
I just did this a month ago. I talked with the photographer about shooting the wedding beforehand. I asked her what she was going to be doing and where would be appropriate for me to shoot from.
After following her lead during the wedding, I shot from one side, she shot from the other... only stepped on her toes twice. Once literally.
I went from a friend of the bride and groom shooting a few pictures as a gift, to second shooter at the wedding.

Some things I learned NOT to do, don't get in the way when they are smooshing cake on each others face, and if they walk super fast back down the isle, i suggest staying far back. backpedaling with the bride running towards you can be a problem. Finally, try to stay out of the way of other photographers lens.

thats pretty good advice... i was a groomsmen in a wedding a year ago and i had a great experience chatting with the 2 hired guns, we talked shop a little, i held their reflector - cued them into a few shots before the ceremony (i had some inside info of course!) and they were totally chill when they were shooting the bride and groom between ceremony and reception they let me snipe over their shoulders or off to the side with my 70-200 (i cleared it with them first, explained i was just trying to learn more)- they were Nikon shooters and even happily took a great shot of my wife and I with MY Canon rig! My friends still have a bunch of the pictures i took at their wedding up on their myspace, side by side with the pro's stuff (which were really great)

as someone else mentioned, there will always be plenty of interesting shots to take elsewhere away from the paid photog that the bride and groom would otherwise never see - its cool to provide this missing piece of the puzzle from their special day (and good practice for you!) just don't steal any shots from the pro photog!

just talk a little with the photogs ahead of time, most likely they will just be happy to chat with someone who gets them! lend a helping hand if they need it corralling the bridal party and stuff...

Remember the pro was HIRED to cover the wedding, and may very well be working against a shot list requested by the bride and/or her mother...so do absolutely nothing that interferes or slows him/her down in getting the shots he was hired to take!

Here is something that has concerned me about this situation. If you take a lot of shots and present the couple with a disc of high res images, what have you done to the professional's print sales? It is possible that you will dilute their efforts enough to make it a bit painful for them. If they are only providing a disc to the couple then not problem.

This is something that I really discuss with the bride and groom prior to photographing the wedding. Hey look....if your friend, your big Aunt Susan or your mama gets in my way I'm going to ask them (politely, of course) to move.

In addition to what's been noted above:

*Don't flash.
*Don't yell, "Everyone stay where you are.....I need my shot."
*Don't show the photographer your shots and ask for opinions.
*Don't ask for advice or discuss how to get your foot in the door while the photographer is working.

*Do let them know that you're learning and you'd like to do some work of your own that day.
*Do respect their boundaries. They're the ones who are working and it's important for them to feel comfortable.

JeffreyG wrote in post #5557038
Don't show up with 2 bodies and 6 lenses.

Don't stand behind the pro and shoot the formals

Don't wander the church

Do shoot candids at the wedding and the reception

Do remember to put the camera down and have fun

Great advice here. Love the last one. but yeah, definitely just talk to the photog and let them know what's up. hopefully it's a really chill person and doesn't mind.
I'm gonna kinda be doing the same this saturday for a buds wedding but I feel like I'm gonna intrude quite a bit when they see my rig...a 1dmk2 doesn't really hide well.....